Maths
Maths at Beechwood
At Beechwood, we teach Maths through a mastery approach from EYFS to year 6.
The aims of the mastery curriculum are:
- All pupils should become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics through varied and frequent practice
- To promote enjoyment and enthusiasm for learning through practical activity, exploration and discussion.
- To promote confidence and competence with numbers and the number system;
- To develop the ability to solve problems through decision-making and reasoning in a range of contexts.
- To develop a practical understanding of the ways in which information is gathered and presented;
- To explore features of shape and space, and develop measuring skills in a range of contexts;
- To understand the importance of mathematics in everyday life.
The Maths — No Problem! Primary Maths Series has been created using the principles of Singapore mathematics and is fully aligned to the 2014 English national curriculum. The Programme provides all the elements that teachers need to teach maths for mastery with confidence. In 2021, we moved on to the New Edition of Maths-No Problem! which has been updated to allow for further challenge and support for pupils.
Number a Week
In Early years, we work towards the expectations of Development Matters. We recognise the importance of children mastering each stage before moving in. It is because of this that we follow 'a number of the week' approach to maths. The children will focus on a specific number at a time (up to 10) and explore this number in different ways such as exploring different representations of that number, addition facts, subitising and ordering numbers. The children work on their understanding of shape, space and measure. In early years, maths activities are carried out through a mix of teacher led activities and child led tasks in continuous provision.
NCETM Mastering Number
On top of our mastery curriculum, we also follow NCETM's mastering number programme for years Reception, year 1, year 2, year 4 and year 5. Mastering Number provides daily, short burst activities that support children's basic understanding of number.
In EYFS and KS1, the project secures pupil's number sense and develops their fluency in calculation.
In KS2, it enables pupils to develop their fluency of multiplication and division facts.
There is not yet a project for years 3 and 6 however we are working towards teachers in these year groups using the same principles to develop the maths fluency in these year groups.
Maths Monsters
Throughout school, all pupils also enjoy participating in Maths Monsters. These are short quizzes which we do regularly in class to test pupils' understanding of number bonds and addition facts in EYFS and KS1 and multiplication facts in KS2. Each half term, we hold a Maths Monsters assembly where pupils' are able to earn badges when they have mastered a certain set.